Massive day!!!

Well, we had a big one today.  Up at 6:30 for a 7:20 pick up and transfer to the ferry terminal.  After a bit of queuing we were on the ship to take us to our "Great Adventure".    50 minutes later we were at Green Island - a small rain forest island unique for its wildlife and habitat.  We spend the first 45 minutes on the nature walk - scoping out the island and taking in the rain forest and information along the way.  We then came back and grabbed some snorkeling gear and headed out to the beach to see what we could see.

An experience for the boys getting their snorkeled gear on but after a few minutes we were away.  We went around for quite a while and got a good sense of the reef and saw a few interesting fish.  Boys taking off...

So after we dropped the gear back and had a quick snack we jumped back on the vessel to take us to the back of Norman Reef at the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef.  We decided to snorkel immediately so we grabbed our gear and jumped in.  Well, it was sensational.  Amazing coral and fish.  We all loved it but after floating around for nearly an hour we jumped out and had some buffet lunch (Joey's favourite!) and relaxed for a little while.  We then spend some time in the underwater observation deck looking at a heap of fish floating by.  We then went on the "Semi Submersible" which took us for a run around the reef seeing some more amazing things outside of the snorkeling area.  After that Joey and I jumped in for another 20 minutes or so snorkeling before the siren went off and it was time to come in.  A relaxing trip back punctuated by nice views, tea, cheese and bikkies and ice cream!

After getting back to the apartment, Linus and I had a 15 minute hit of volleyball in perfect (if nearly dark!) conditions before showering and going to tea.  But where to go?  Lots of choices!!

We settled on Fratelli, a contemporary Italian place.  A great choice again!  For starters we shared traditional and Garlic Bruscetta.  For mains, Linus had "Rigatoni with spicy Italian sausage", Joey "Veal Tortellini" Jen, Spaghetti Marinara (fist and other sea things) and me, Baked Barramindi with various accoutrement's.    All excellent and every skerrick cleaned up.  But given there was "Death by Chocolate" there was no surprise that the boys were up for more (forced to share, they say!) while we enjoyed "Espresso Semifreddo".  Then a really nice touch when we received a shot of espresso liqueur (digestivo).  See below...

back to the apartment and the boys quickly to bed before we kick back ourselves!


Au reviour till next time...

Wednesday..

A good sleep and breakfast on the balcony.  Nice morning so we decided to wander down to the beach.  Water is 24 degrees so it did not takes us long to get in.  Very rough and the boys ran in and out until Jen lifted them past the breakers so they could float around.  I joined them and we a good swim until Joey escaped from our grasp and did (in his words) "four somersaults" under the water as he got washed to shore!  Jen re-assured him and got him back in so he was OK!

Back to the apartment and after getting cleaned up we went and organised a trip to the Great Barrier Reef and Green Island for tomorrow (calmest day in outlook) and a hire car to get around a bit more.

After we knocked up some bacon and salad sandwiches for lunch we did some planning for the week then went for a walk around and picked up a few more supplies.  Back to Roydon and the boys jumped into the pool while we read.  I finished "Sizzzling Sixteen"...

Great (easy) read as always.  We then kicked back and enjoyed a wine and some Guacamole.  BBQ'd some sausages and t-bone while Jen whipped up some salad from nothing for tea.

Relaxing night in preparation for a big day tomorrow!

A few more photo's from dinner last night

Appreciate the positive feeback from the first blog.  Lee, these are for you in particular...This one is Jennifer's Tuna...

and this one is Joey's Thai Beef Stack...

First day on holidays...

Well, we got such good feedback from the US holiday blog we thought we would try it again!  So the first day of the northern Queensland adventure.

Started fairly routinely, up at 5 to get organised and get the kids ready for a 5:45am departure to the airport.  Traffic OK and after a bit of delay at the airport we landed in Cairns at 1pm.  A taxi ride and we are at Roydon Apartments. Beautiful temperature - about 27 with a strongish breeze.  Funnily enough we actually stayed here in 1994 - pk (pre kids!).  We got a gun room on top of the apartments overlooking the water...

Pretty chuffed!  Anyway,m after settling in we went for a walk along the beach and then up to the little supermarkets to get some supplies for the trip.   We then settled back for a couple of Carona's and some rock melon - yum!  Not the best photo but you ge tthe picture!

I took the boys over to the playground over the road and they had a bit of a muck around before dinner. 

We then got cleaned up and went the the "Blue Moon Grill".  All of the reviews said it was the best at Trinity Beach - but it was way beyond our expectations.  Have a look at the menu - it bodes well but even better was the food...

http://www.bluemoongrill.com.au/

and the menu...

http://www.bluemoongrill.com.au/download/1105_BMG_MENU.pdf

We chose the standard Bruscetta ( for Linus mainly) and the Vietnamese style Oysters ( for the rest of us) and they wer both sensational.  The bruscetta had Ketchep Manis with it which really lifted it and the South Australian Oysters were divine!  It was super quick too which is great for the kids.

Then to mains.  Linus had the "Famous Barramundi Spring Rolls", Joey the "Thai Beef Stack". Jen the "Japanese Styled BBQ Wild Lime & Sesame Tuna Loin" and me the “Stop carrying on like a pork chop? That’s not a pork chop – This Is a pork chop!!!( a’la Crock Dundee)".  Well, not a skerrick left.  Linus loved the fish, Joey adored the beef, Jen raved about the tuna and I can't believe how tender the pork was.  Really sensational food and well beyond out expectations.  Joey and Linus just had enough room to share a seriously goody mud cake while Jen and I finished off our 3 Tails Sauvignon Blanc.

A great night enjoyed by all...

Now for tomorrow...